MATTHEW OF WESTMINSTER
The flowers of history, especially such as relate to the affairs of Britain. Vol. I. B.C. 4004 to A.D. 1066.
page 250

A.D. 489. AUBEIluS DEBEAT8 THE SAXONS.
did not think that it could resist Aurelius. Aurelius pursued him, and cut off the heads of all whom he fell in with on his march, and so sent them to hell. Therefore Aurelius, having gained the victory, glorified the God of Heaven from the bottom of his heart, who had permitted him to triumph over the enemy.
A.D. 488. Aurelius Ambrosius, while he was passing ail through Britain seeking the enemy, found the churches everywhere levelled with the ground, at which he was greatly grieved. Therefore, having sent for masons and carpenters, he laboured to restore the holy buildings. Accordingly, having placed presbyters and clerks in them, he recalled the divine worship to its former state. But whenever he found any promue temples to the gods, and any idols, he utterly banished them from the recollection of all men under heaven, and completely destroyed them. He took care himself, and en
joined all churches and ecclesiastical persons to observe justice and peace; giving them out of his royal munificence many benefices with ample revenues, and he ordered all men to pray for the kingdom and for the constitution of the church.
A.D. 489. Aurelius Ambrosius directed letters to all the districts in Britain, ordering all men who could bear arms to come to him as speedily as possible, and to labour without ceasing, to exterminate the pagans from the kingdom of Britain. When therefore every one had come, Aurelius marched his army towards the north, and found Hengist and his Saxons
o n the river which is called the Don, with his forces all in order of battle. Not to dwell on the circumstances, the battalions meeting in all quarters, engaged in a most violent battle, and spilt no little blood. And when they had fought in this manner for a very long time, Eldol, duke of Gloucester, who burned with an eager desire of meeting with Hengist. penetrating with the phalanx which he commanded through the ranks o f the enemy, caught Hengist by the visor of his helmet, and patting forth all his strength, dragged him among his own countrymen. "This day," said he, "has God fulfilled my desire, for our victory is m the hand of God." Therefore the Sauçons fled in every direction, as fancy directed each of them, an d Aureliue pursued them, and bravely slew them. But Octa, the son of Hengist, with a great number of his men, reached York : while Eosa and many others sought the city of Alclud.
TOI ., ι. m

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